I’ve had the opportunity to play Path of Exile 2 several times throughout its development cycle, and there’s one thought I had after my latest session: this action-RPG keeps getting better every time I play it. Grinding Gear Games is clearly pouring an immense amount of effort into refining and expanding upon the original Path of Exile, and each hands-on session I’ve had reveals more about how deep and engaging this sequel promises to be.

Gamescom 2023: The First Taste

The first session I had the opportunity to join was a demo at Gamescom 2023. Grinding Gear’s Jonathan Rogers took me through the Warrior and Druid classes, and I also had the opportunity to wait in line and try out the Monk for the first time. As expected, I got my butt kicked. But that’s par for the course in an unforgiving ARPG like Path of Exile. The Warrior impressed me with its raw power and durability, making it a perfect class for those who enjoy being on the front lines, taking and dealing substantial damage.

The Druid, on the other hand, showcased versatility with its ability to shapeshift and command nature-based spells. Playing the Druid felt like juggling multiple roles, which added an intriguing layer of complexity. My time with the Monk was short and brutal, with its early game slow staff strikes proving challenging. However, the potential for this class to Path Of Exile 2 Gold  become a fast and deadly combatant was evident, even in that brief encounter.

Early 2024: Electrifying Ranger

In early 2024, I had the chance to try out the Ranger. This class's incredibly fun gameplay loop has you shooting lightning arrows and propagating lightning storms of death across the screen. The Ranger's agility and ability to control the battlefield with lightning-based skills made it an exhilarating experience. Chain lightning attacks that jumped from foe to foe, combined with area-of-effect skills, created visually stunning and devastating combinations. The Ranger's gameplay felt fast-paced and required quick reflexes, making it perfect for players who enjoy dynamic and energetic combat.

Recent Playthroughs: Monks, Warriors, Sorceresses, and Witches

More recently, I got to try out the Monk again and get some hands-on time with the Warrior, Sorceress, and Witch – all for the first time. Each of them feels unique, powerful, and interesting to play as.

The Monk

The Monk, once you get past the early leveling portions that have you whacking away at enemies with slow and methodical staff strikes, becomes a force to be reckoned with. You can dash in to weaken your enemies, get a few charges, and then annihilate the playing field with an incredibly powerful staff strike to the ground that sends ripples of energy that rip into the earth itself. This class is all about building momentum and unleashing devastating attacks. Once I got the hang of the Monk's gameplay loop, I felt like I may have found another new favorite. The Monk's ability to balance between swift movement and powerful strikes creates a satisfying rhythm that rewards skillful play.

The Warrior

The Warrior, as expected, is a tanky powerhouse. This class thrives on absorbing damage and dishing out punishment in equal measure. The Warrior's skills are straightforward but effective, making it an excellent choice for players who prefer a more traditional and robust combat style. Whether you're cleaving through hordes of enemies with a massive two-handed weapon or holding the line with a shield and sword, the Warrior feels unstoppable. Its skills often revolve around enhancing physical attacks, crowd control, and sustainability in battle, ensuring that the Warrior can handle the toughest foes.

The Sorceress

The Sorceress brings a touch of arcane mastery to the battlefield. Specializing in elemental magic, the Sorceress can call forth fire, ice, and lightning to devastate her enemies. The class's ability to control the battlefield with area-of-effect spells and status effects makes it a strategic choice for players who enjoy manipulating their environment and enemies. The Sorceress's gameplay revolves around managing mana and cooldowns to maintain a steady stream of powerful spells. Her abilities to freeze, burn, and shock enemies add layers of depth to combat, requiring players to think on their feet and adapt to various situations.

The Witch

But the majority of my time I found myself playing as the Witch, who was one of the first classes I enjoyed in the original Path of Exile. In the sequel, the Witch starts out as a corpse-reviving menace who chooses what abilities the minions will wield, and can even command them to do unique attacks to  cheap Path Of Exile 2 Gold great effect.

The Unearth skill gem, for instance, will create spikes of bone that travel from the earth in front of you doing a bit of damage, but will also raise the bones of corpses as short-lived construct minions. You’ll then start unlocking Skill Gems like Skeletal Warrior, Skeletal Sniper, and Skeletal Arsonist. Because you’ll only have a set amount of spirit, early on you’ll only be able to choose one of these to get started. The Skeletal Arsonist is the option I picked as it has the unique ability to explode any low-life minion in your pack. And not only is that very cool, but it also does a ton of damage to packs of enemies or bosses that weaken your minions to explosion status.

The Witch's gameplay in Path of Exile 2 feels like a careful balance of managing your minions and unleashing powerful spells. Her ability to command an army of the undead while casting destructive spells from a distance makes her a formidable presence on the battlefield. The strategic depth of choosing which minions to summon and when to detonate them adds a layer of tactical decision-making that is incredibly satisfying. The Witch's gameplay is all about creating chaos and leveraging the power of death itself to overwhelm your enemies.

Conclusion

Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be an exceptional sequel that builds upon the foundations of the original game while introducing exciting new mechanics and classes. Each class I’ve played offers a distinct and engaging gameplay experience, from the fast-paced agility of the Ranger to the strategic depth of the Witch. The continuous improvements and refinements I’ve witnessed throughout the development cycle demonstrate Grinding Gear Games' commitment to delivering a high-quality action RPG.

Every playthrough has revealed new layers of complexity and enjoyment, making Path of Exile 2 a game that I eagerly anticipate with each passing day. If the current state of the game is any indication, Path of Exile 2 is on track to become a monumental success, captivating both veteran players and newcomers alike with its rich gameplay and immersive world.